Associated Press
NEW YORK – A steel cross found in the rubble of the World Trade Center has been adopted by rescue workers as a symbol of faith and blessed with holy water by a Franciscan priest.
The 20-foot tall cross, consisting of two metal beams, fell intact from one of the twin towers into a nearby building.
Laborer Frank Silecchia, 47, found the cross standing almost upright two days after the towers toppled Sept. 11.
“Some people will say it’s velocity or physics that put it there. To me it’s an act of God,” said Silecchia, who cried for 20 minutes after his discovery.
Since then, rescue workers have made pilgrimages to pray or meditate near the cross. Some etch messages on it. “God Bless Our Fallen Brothers,” reads one tribute.
On Wednesday, workers hoisted the cross atop a 40-foot high foundation, formerly a pedestrian walkway. Construction workers, firefighters and police officers stood quietly by as the Rev. Brian Jordan blessed it with holy water.
“Behold the glory of the cross at ground zero,” Jordan said. “This is our symbol of hope, our symbol of faith, our symbol of healing.”
The workers prayed and sang “God Bless America” together before returning to work.
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